UCM urges for early solution to border dispute
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 03 2022: United Committee Manipur (UCM) president Joychandra Konthoujam has urged for speedy resolution of the prolonged Indo-Myanmar border dispute.

He was speaking at the 22nd Foundation Day celebration of UCM which was organised at the multipurpose hall of Manipur State Level Development Society (MSFDS), Palace Compound here on Sunday.

Regarding the Indo-Myanmar border dispute which has been going on for years, the UCM president demanded the government to resolve the issue at the earliest.

The international boundary is part of Manipur's territory and as such, the centre must not ignore the state s sentiments.

Furthermore, no security or border fencing must be carried out in the disputed border area until the issue is resolved, he asserted.

"Although there is no issue with the CM s statements of fencing up the non-disputed areas, people must be duly informed before any such work is taken up", Joychandra contended.

Appreciating the recent visit of a central team to the disputed border pillar no 79-81, the UCM president pointed out that both the centre and state is under a BJP government.

Additionally, MoS for External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan is from Manipur and is knowledgeable regarding Mani pur's territory.

Thus, Joychandra expressed firm belief that he (Dr RK Ranjan) would help in speedy resolution of the issue.

Recounting the origin of UCM, Joychandra said that the inclusion of the phrase "without territorial limit" in the Bangkok Agreement signed between the Government of India (GOI) and the NSCN-IM on June 14, 2001 sparked protests across Manipur.

The state Assembly was burned down, while the CM's Bungalow and MLAs' quarters were attacked.

Around 18 people were martyred in the protests and several others left injured.

The tense situation drew the world's attention towards Manipur, thereby forcing the government of India to remove the controversial phrase from the agreement.

The protests at the time led to the formation of UCM, an apex body of different CSOs, bodies and JACs, on July 3, 2001 .

Since then, UCM has been moving forward with its unwavering principles of peace, unity and integrity, and also with the understanding that the different communities must respect and love each other, while maintaining a united front.

The Committee considers territorial integrity of the state to be vital in this regard, he said, while declaring that the Committee will always stand for Manipur's unity and territorial integrity, even to the extent of sacrificing their lives for the cause.

Joychandra then said that to promote love and harmony among the different communities, UCM has been visiting remote areas of the state and sharing the joy and pain of the locals.

The Committee will continue to reaching out to the hill brethrens, in addition to its 'Eegi Khongul Leeba' programme for the Manipuri Diaspora and thus, he appealed to the people of Manipur to continue extending support to the Committee.

The celebration also attended by NIPCO president O Premjit, ACOAM-Lup Kangleipak president Sanjit Soraisam, UPF president N Rupachandra, IPSA president Tourangbam Birjit, AMKIL president Lourembam Nganbi, Kanglamei president Y Leirik Leima, UCM Consultative Committee members RK Ranendrajit, Yumnamcha Dilipkumar, Khomdram Ratan and others as presidium members.

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